RCJY Environmental Permits: A Simple Guide for Companies in Jubail and Yanbu

RCJY Environmental Permits: A Simple Guide for Companies in Jubail and Yanbu

If your company plans to build or run a facility in Jubail, Yanbu, Ras Al-Khair or Jazan, you need environmental approval from the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY) before you start, and you must keep it valid while you operate.

The rules are clear, but the paperwork is long and the standards are strict. A missing study or a late renewal can delay construction, stop operations or lead to fines. This guide explains, in plain words, which permits you need, what changed with the new RCER-2025 regulations and how to get approved without surprises.

Who regulates the environment in the industrial cities?

The Royal Commission is the main environmental regulator inside its industrial cities: Jubail, Yanbu, Ras Al-Khair and Jazan. Outside these cities, projects follow the national rules of the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC).

Inside the Royal Commission cities, the rulebook is the Royal Commission Environmental Regulations (RCER). The latest edition is RCER-2025, which replaces RCER-2015. It comes in three volumes:

• Volume I: Regulations and Standards. Air, water, waste and noise limits, monitoring and reporting.
• Volume II: Environmental Permit Program. How permits are applied for and issued.
• Volume III: Penalty System and Service Charges. Fines and permit fees.

If you already hold a permit under the older rules, check your facility against RCER-2025. Some requirements may have changed.

The two permits you need: EPC and EPO

1. Environmental Permit to Construct (EPC): You need this before building a new facility or expanding an existing one. RCJY reviews your design, processes, expected emissions, wastewater and waste plans to make sure the facility can meet RCER limits.
2. Environmental Permit to Operate (EPO): You need this before you start operating. It sets the conditions you must follow every day: emission and discharge limits, monitoring, records and reporting. Under RCER-2025 the EPO is renewed every 5 years.

Which category is your facility?

RCJY places each facility in one of three categories. The category decides the level of review and the fees:

• First category (light and support industry, commercial): no EPC fee, EPO SAR 20,000, renewal SAR 15,000
• Second category (secondary industry): EPC SAR 25,000, EPO SAR 50,000, renewal SAR 25,000
• Third category (primary industry): EPC SAR 50,000, EPO SAR 100,000, renewal SAR 50,000

Fees from RCER-2025 Volume III. Check the current figures with RCJY before you apply.

Larger projects usually also need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). RCJY only accepts environmental studies from consultants it has authorized, in Class A, B or C. Class A consultants can work on all three categories.

How to get your permits, step by step

1. Confirm your category. Describe your activity, capacity and processes so the facility is placed in the right category.
2. Appoint an authorized consultant. Choose an environmental consultant with the right RCJY class for your category.
3. Prepare the studies. This usually includes baseline data (air, water, soil, noise), an emissions and waste inventory, and an EIA for larger projects.
4. Apply for the EPC. Submit the application with your design and studies, and pay the fee. Build only after the EPC is issued.
5. Build to the permit conditions. Keep records that the plant was installed as the EPC requires, because RCJY checks this.
6. Apply for the EPO before start-up. Leave enough time for review and inspection; large projects plan this months ahead.
7. Operate, monitor and report. Follow your EPO limits, run the required monitoring and submit reports on time.
8. Renew every 5 years. Start the renewal early so there is no gap in your permit.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Starting work before the EPC is issued. This can lead to penalties and, for repeated violations, loss of permits.
• Choosing a consultant without the right RCJY class. The studies may be rejected and you lose weeks.
• Applying for the EPO too late. Without an EPO you cannot operate, even if the plant is ready.
• Not updating to RCER-2025. Older permits and monitoring plans may not meet the updated requirements.
• Missing reports or the 5-year renewal. Unpaid penalties and repeated violations can lead RCJY to revoke the EPO.

How BluePrint can help

BluePrint Environmental Services is an accredited environmental consultancy based in Riyadh, working across the Kingdom. We help companies in the Royal Commission cities with:

• Facility category and permit planning
• Baseline studies and Environmental Impact Assessments
• EPC and EPO applications and renewals
• Air, water, soil and noise monitoring through our laboratory
• RCER-2025 gap checks for existing facilities

Planning a project in Jubail, Yanbu, Ras Al-Khair or Jazan? Contact our team or message us on WhatsApp for a free first consultation. We reply within one working day.

This article is general guidance. Always confirm the current requirements with the Royal Commission for your specific project.